Rev. Charles Laverne Gunderson, 88, of Northfield, Minnesota, passed away peacefully June 21, 2018 at the Northfield Retirement Center with loving family by his side.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at Bethel Lutheran Church, 1321 North Ave., Northfield. Visitation was at the church Monday, June 25, 2018, from 4-7 p.m. and continued Tuesday one hour prior to the service. Interment with Military Honors took place at Oaklawn Cemetery in Northfield. Pallbearers were his grandchildren.

Charles was born February 15, 1930, the youngest of Elmer and Inez (Hermanson) Gunderson’s seven children. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, WI.

Charles graduated from Madison East High School in 1948. He then went on to St. Olaf College in Northfield and graduated in 1952. Following college Charles felt called to the ministry and enrolled at Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, graduating in 1956.

While attending the seminary, Charles met Marlys Ringdahl on a blind date. They were married at Boe Memorial Chapel at St. Olaf College October 2, 1954 and shared 56 wonderful years together until Marlys passed in 2010. To their marriage five children were born: Mary, John, David, Paul and Elizabeth.

Charles was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1956 and decided his first call would be to serve both church and country. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served three years as a Military Chaplain at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL.

In 1959, Charles was called to Larslan, MT, where he served Our Savior’s and Grain Lutheran Churches for six years. He then accepted a call to Oklee, Minnesota, where he served Zion, Salem and Valle Lutheran Churches for 20 years. His final call was to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Swift Falls, Minnesota, where he served 10 years, retiring in 1995.

Following retirement, Charles and Marlys moved to Northfield where they were active members of Bethel Lutheran Church and were involved with a variety of activities.

Care for others and empathy were special gifts that Charles shared throughout his life. He was a modest and humble pastor, trusted friend, devoted husband and loving father. He helped many though their most difficult and trying times with his kind and patient presence. He loved humor and his optimism was contagious. He especially enjoyed spending time with family, visiting with friends and neighbors, attending church functions, reading and helping others.